"Old Blood", a brand new song from Canadian metallers CANCER BATS, was premiered on tonight's (Monday, January 2) edition of BBC Radio 1's "Rock Show With Daniel P Carter". You can now streamed the track in the YouTube clip below.

"Old Blood" comes off CANCER BATS' fourth album, "Dead Set On Living", which is due in April via Distort Inc.

In a recent interview with Blare magazine, CANCER BATS vocalist Liam Cormier stated about "Dead Set On Living", "I think sound-wise there's definitely more of the natural evolution of how gnarly we keep getting and how more refined everyone sounds. I'd say the majority of our fans now have seen our band live and know how gnarly and ferocious it is, so trying to compress that into a recording still is kind of difficult. Like we'd say, I thought we did it pretty well on 'Bears',' and then we'd re-examine that and we'd see there's still some elements that are missing." Schwarzer added, "But there's always stuff that comes up with every record, like what haven't we really captured yet. With doing the [BLACK] SABBATH covers at Sonisphere [festival] and then going into writing this one and thinking about how they had written their songs, we tried to apply some of that into what we're doing. Different elements are always going to come up when recording a new record. We'd always ask ourselves, 'What haven't we done?' and 'How can I make this better?' and doing that made it way more interesting." Cormier continued, "I think the big thing too is the realization that we're always going to be CANCER BATS. And from looking at BLACK SABBATH, we realized that even though BLACK SABBATH are these four guys, none of them are doing the same thing at the exact same time. Like none of it lines up at any point but it all works so well, to the point where you don't even notice it. That was a big thing. We used to feel that all the parts playing along together would sound tighter, but now we've found that everyone confidently playing their own part makes the whole thing sound tighter and more cohesive. On this album, nothing sits on top of anything because it's all got its own distinct voice."

CANCER BATS was nominated in the "Rock Album of the Year" category at the 2011 Juno Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy Awards). The band faced off against fellow Canadians DIE MANNEQUIN, FINGER ELEVEN, HAIL THE VILLIAN and MATTHEW GOOD.

Carlos Llanas of Metal-Rules.com conducted an interview with members of UFO in October 2011 in San Antonio, Texas. You can now watch the chat below.

UFO will release its new album, "Seven Deadly", on February 28 (one day earlier internationally) via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort, which was recorded with producer Tommy Newton at his Area 51 studio in Celle, Germany, will be made available as a limited-edition digipack (including two bonus tracks), a double gatefold LP with printed innersleeves and colored vinyl, standard-edition CD and as a digital download.

"Seven Deadly" track listing:

01. Fight Night
02. Wonderland
03. Mojo Town
04. Angel Station
05. Year Of The Gun
06. The Last Stone Rider
07. Steal Yourself
08. Burn Your House Down
09. The Fear
10. Waving Good Bye
11. Other Men's Wives (bonus track)
12. Bag O' Blues (bonus track)

According to a press release, "Seven Deadly" is "an atmospherically dense fabric consisting of classy guitars, tight rock grooves and vocals which are unique to UFO. The classic rock of 'Burn Your House Down' features all the important UFO strengths, 'Going Down To Mojotown' sees the musicians sound tougher than ever, and last but not least, 'Wonderland' features a pointed reference to UFO's early days. 'Angel Station' sees the band prove how classic rock music is complemented perfectly with epic elements, while 'Fight Night' is an excellent track to be performed in a live context."

UFO's latest best-of collection, "Best Of A Decade", was released in North America on September 28, 2010 via SPV/Steamhammer.

The band's most recent studio album, "The Visitor", came out in June 2009.

The current lineup continues to consist of the three original members, Phil Mogg (vocals), Paul Raymond (guitar, keyboards), and Andy Parker (drums), as well as American world-class guitarist Vinnie Moore.

Texas metal veterans HELSTAR will celebrate their 30th anniversary by performing a very special show on Saturday, March 24 at Warehouse Live in Houston, Texas. According to the band, "The entire show will be audio- and video-recorded and later released as the first official live HELSTAR album and DVD." Also scheduled to appear are METALLOYD, LEGION, KNOTURNAL MADNESS, EPIC and METAVENGE.

HELSTAR bassist Jerry Abarca last year underwent more testing to diagnose and treat his stomach-related illness. Abarca announced he would a hiatus from performing live until his health has fully returned and doctors have pronounced him fit for stage.

Abarca first fell ill during HELSTAR's December 2010 "European Chaos" tour and was flown home to Texas, while Slovenian bassist Matej Susnik was then recruited to complete the trek.

HELSTAR once again enlisted the services of Susnik on the recently completed European tour.

The band released its latest album, "Glory Of Chaos", in November 2010 via Germany's AFM Records.

Formed in Houston in the early '80s, HELSTAR cut its teeth playing backyard parties and small club gigs. It soon became apparent that HELSTAR had much more to offer then its contemporaries. Combat Records snapped up the band and released HELSTAR's debut, "Burning Star", in 1984. Next came "Remnants of War", followed by HELSTAR's breakthrough album, "A Distant Thunder", in 1988. The success of "A Distant Thunder" ultimately set up HELSTAR's most critically acclaimed album, 1989's "Nosferatu".

Singer James LaBrie of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER has issued the following update:

"[LaBrie's longtime songwriting partner and keyboardist] Matt Guillory and I are very happy to announce that writing for my next solo album has started.

"We're very pleased with how well [LaBrie's last solo CD] 'Static Impulse' was received and are excited to be making a follow-up.

"You can expect all the usual suspects: (Marco Sfogli, Peter Wildoer, Ray Riendeau) In addition to this, we'd also like to announce that Peter Wichers (SOILWORK) is onboard as a co-songwriter. Peter loved 'Static Impulse' and looks forward to making a kick-ass record with us. He is extremely talented and we're stoked to have him!"

James LaBrie's solo tour — which was scheduled to kick off on November 26, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina and end on December 20, 2010 in Houston, Texas — was canceled "due to some unfortunate, unforeseen difficulties with securing work visas" for a couple of the members of LaBrie's band.

"Static Impulse" sold around 1,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 14 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Static Impulse" was released on September 28, 2010 (one day earlier internationally) via InsideOut Music. The CD marked LaBrie's first solo effort in over five years.

Mixed and mastered by Jens Borgen (OPETH, KATATONIA), "Static Impulse" featured Guillory; Peter Wildoer from Swedish thrashers DARKANE on drums and screaming vocals; Marco Sfogli on guitar; and Ray Riendeau (HALFORD) on bass.

"I Need You" audio stream (taken from "Static Impulse"):



"One More Time" audio stream (taken from "Static Impulse"):



LaBrie previously stated about "Static Impulse", "This is modern metal and as heavy and relevant as any other band out there going in a similar musical direction. There are riffs that will blow your head off and melodies both musically and vocally that are hypnotic."

In addition to DREAM THEATER's numerous studio and live releases, LaBrie has also appeared on recordings by FATES WARNING, REDEMPTION, FRAMESHIFT and AYREON, as well as tribute albums to RUSH, EMERSON LAKE & PALMER and QUEEN.

For more information, visit www.jameslabrie.com.

Italian power metallers KALEDON have announced the addition of drummer Luca Marini to the group's ranks.

KALEDON's best-of album, "Mightiest Hits", will be released later this month via Scarlet Records.

"Mightiest Hits" track listing:

Disc 1

01. Steel Maker (previously unreleased)
02. In Search Of Kaledon
03. Desert Land Of Warriors
04. The New Kingdom
05. A Frozen Dawn
06. Mighty Son Of The Great Lord
07. Great Night In The Land
08. Clash Of The Titans
09. New King Of Kaledon
10. The End Of The Green Power
11. The God Beyond The Man
12. Surprise Impact
13. Demons Away

Disc 2

01. In Search Of Kaledon (demo)
02. Spirit Of The Dragon (demo)
03. Thunder In The Sky (demo)
04. God Says Yes (demo)
05. Army Of The Undead King (demo)
06. Desert Land Of Warriors (demo)
07. God Says Yes (demo)
08. Thunder In The Sky (demo)
09. Desert Land Of Warriors (demo)
10. Home (demo)
11. New Soldiers For A New Army (demo)

The "Steel Maker" video can be seen below.

KALEDON's latest album, "Legend Of The Fogotten Reign: Chapter VI - The Last Night On The Battlefield", was released in July 2010 via Scarlet Records. The sixth installment of the saga started in 2002 was previously described as a return to the band's power metal roots: powerful, melodic and extremely captivating. The artwork was created by renowned artist J.P. Fournier (EDGUY, AVANTASIA, IMMORTAL) and it perfectly depicts the band's epic music as never before. Giuseppe Orlando (NOVEMBRE) produced the album.

Eric Blair of "The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show" conducted an interview with vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) at a massive gathering on December 14 at the Key Club in Hollywood, California to help celebrate the life and music of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN) as part of this year's Dimebash. You can now watch the chat below.

All proceeds from the concert went to Wendy Dio's charity Stand Up And Shout, which raises money for cancer research; her husband died of stomach cancer in May 2010.

The Key Club in Hollywood was scheduled to play host to all-star jams featuring the following musicians:

* Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, DIO DISCIPLES)
* Geezer Butler (BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL)
* Jerry Cantrell (ALICE IN CHAINS)
* David Draiman (DISTURBED)
* Duff McKagan (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES)
* Serj Tankian (SYSTEM OF A DOWN)
* Mike Muir (SUICIDAL TENDENCIES)
* Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW)
* John 5 (ROB ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON)
* Scott Ian (ANTHRAX)
* Phil Demmel (MACHINE HEAD)
* Ben Harper
* Chris Howorth (IN THIS MOMENT)
* Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE)
* Doug Pinnick (KING'S X)
* James Lomenzo (WHITE LION, MEGADETH, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY)
* Ginger Fish (ROB ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON)
* Brian Tichy (WHITESNAKE, OZZY OSBOURNE)
* Gene Hoglan (FEAR FACTORY, DETHKLOK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD)
* Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT, FATES WARNING)
* Robin McAuley (MSG, SURVIVOR)
* Nick Bowcott (GRIM REAPER)
* Richie Kotzen (MR. BIG, POISON)

The whole shebang was emceed by "That Metal Show"'s Eddie Trunk and his co-horts, Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson. In addition, kicking off the event was KILL DEVIL HILL, the band featuring Vinny Appice (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO) on drums, Rex Brown (DOWN, PANTERA) on bass, Mark Zavon (RATT, W.A.S.P., 40 CYCLE HUM) on guitar and Jason "Dewey" Bragg (PISSING RAZORS) on vocals. Also on deck was DIO DISCIPLES — the new project featuring former DIO members Simon Wright (drums), Craig Goldy (guitar), Scott Warren (keyboards) and Rudy Sarzo alongside singers Tim "Ripper" Owens and Toby Jepson (LITTLE ANGELS, GUN) — with a special appearance by Glenn Hughes (BLACK SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION).

According to RollingStone.com, VAN HALEN will perform at the Cafe Wha? in Greenwich Village, New York City this Thursday. It is rumored that the band will play a 45-minute set at the 250-seat venue, which was once owned and operated by VAN HALEN singer David Lee Roth's uncle Manny Roth, providing a stage to then-up-and-coming acts such as Jimi Hendrix, Bill Cosby, Bob Dylan, Richard Pryor and many others.

VAN HALEN recently gave fan site VHLinks two exclusive videos of the band reminiscing about Eddie Van Halen's old Volvo and judging wet T-shirt contests back in the Seventies. The site also says that a "trusted source" tells them the band has been "busy booking rehearsal space and hotel rooms for the band and their crew for [this] week in NYC."

VAN HALEN will announce the first details of its upcoming tour on January 3, with tickets set to go on sale a week later. The band's much-anticipated new album — which will be the band's first with original singer David Lee Roth in 28 years — will arrive on February 7, with the first single and video set to premiere on January 10.

VAN HALEN didn't just use the Roxy nightclub on Hollywood's Sunset Strip to shoot a music video. According to a post at the venue's web site, the reunited band has been rehearsing there for their upcoming tour for the past two months.

The November 14 shoot was reportedly for a video for the song that the band is seen but not heard playing in the tour announcement clip.

VAN HALEN's new record deal with Interscope was finalized in November and marks the first time the band has recorded away from Warner Bros. Records, which signed the group in 1977.

VAN HALEN reunited with Roth in 2007 for a successful year-long reunion tour — minus original bassist Michael Anthony, who now plays with ex-VAN HALEN singer Sammy Hagar in CHICKENFOOT.

California metallers THE HUMAN ABSTRACT appear to have gone on indefinite hiatus following the band's recent split with both vocalist Travis Richter and eOne Music, the label that released the group's third full-length album, "Digital Veil".

In a recent post on his Facebook page, THE HUMAN ABSTRACT bassist Henry Selva stated about the band's current status, "We are not looking for a new vocalist. We are not touring anytime soon. I think it's only fair you guys know that we're on 'break' or 'hiatus,' if you will."

He added, "I don't know why we haven't [made an official announcement about this. I guess it's because there is always that 'maybe if something happens, etc… etc…' Or maybe it's hard for us to realize the reality of our situation, the band's situation, to finally let go.

"I'll be honest when I say the folllowing: PERIPHERY and NEVER SAY DIE were our last tours together as a band.

"It was amazing experience while it lasted.

"Dean [Herrera, guitar] is going back to USC to further his education.

"A.J. [Minette, guitar], as you know, will always continue writing and teaching.

"Brett [Powell, drums], I am sure, has something up his sleeve.

"Thank you to everyone who came out to show their love for the band and the music.

"I'm proud to say that I got to perform and record alongside such amazing musicians."

"Digital Veil" sold around 3,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 177 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 5 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler is featured in the debut episode of Oprah Winfrey's primetime series "Oprah's Next Chapter", which launched with a two-hour premiere on Sunday, January 1 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. In the two-hour special — which was filmed in September at the singer's New Hampshire home — Winfrey and Tyler cover everything from his years of drug addiction, his complicated relationships with his wives and "American Idol".

Check out another clip from the program below.

Tyler's memoir, "Does The Noise In My Head Bother You?", debuted at No. 2 on The New York Times "Hardcover Nonfiction" best seller list. The book came out on May 3 and the outspoken singer made the press rounds to talk about the book. Speaking candidly about his past drug addictions with People.com, Tyler said, "I blew 20 million. I snorted my Porsche, I snorted my plane, I snorted my house in that din of drugs and booze and being lost." He added, "I kept my medicine cabinet on stage, in a 14-inch drum head, the bottom of which contained . . . one Dixie cup (paper cup) with a straw and blow (cocaine) in it and the other with Coca-Cola and Jack Daniels in it."

But Tyler told The Pulse Of Radio that he also wanted to show a different side of himself in the book. "Being in a band with AEROSMITH, you're kind of depicted as Peck's bad boy," he said. "They love the bad boys of Boston. Everybody's intrigued by the badness of it all. And I just thought, why not just share it with the world the way it really is, and tell them my feelings about my cat, and how addicted to Christmas time I am, and hearing my kids laugh — I don't think they know that side. The press tends to put out the greasy, grimy, gopher guts side of AEROSMITH."

Tyler goes into detail in the tome about the stage injury that led him back to drugs and eventually another stint in rehab in late 2009, during which AEROSMITH flirted with the idea of hiring a new vocalist.

The singer explained to Billboard, "I wanted America to know that I didn't just go off on my own somewhere and buy some street drugs. There really was a story behind it." Saying he got hooked on painkillers after having long-delayed surgery on both feet, Tyler revealed, "I have an addictive personality and I got in trouble again. I did, and shame on me for that."

Two years after releasing their debut album, "…And Kindling Deadly Slumber", Tilburg, Holland-based death metallers THE NEW DOMINION have commenced the recording sessions for the follow-up effort at Split Second Sound Studios in Amsterdam. According to the band's drummer, Yuma van Eekelen, who is also a member of the resurrected Dutch death metallers PESTILENCE, the new CD will be "a truly unique piece of death metal art. It's got all the ingredients to be a killer record that will definitely stand out; fast and aggressive riffing alternated with brutal grooves, technical high skilled drumming and a voice easily capable of doing deep grunts, high pitched screams and everything in between."

"...And Kindling Deadly Slumber" was produced by Tymon Kruidenier (CYNIC, EXIVIOUS) and was released in March 2009 via Neurotic Records.

According to the band's official bio, THE NEW DOMINION's musical style can "no longer can be defined as 'just' Gothenburg thrash. However, its roots can still be found in this particular style. It has more and more developed towards a unique blend of thrash and death metal with influences varying from HYPOCRISY to TOOL, from THE HAUNTED to CANNIBAL CORPSE and from GOJIRA to SLAYER. Song structures have become increasingly more interesting and challenging for the listener, whereas the vocal parts have become more brutal and aggressive on one side and more intense and tantalizing on the other."

Mick Moss of ANTIMATTER, the U.K. project whose recording/touring lineup has included current and former members of ANATHEMA, has posted a new five-minute video blog which includes footage of the recording sessions for the band's forthcoming fifth album, "Wide Awake In The Concrete Asylum". A concept album about the (sometimes sadistic) roles people force themselves to play whilst born and trapped in an urban environment, the CD will feature the following track listing:

* Firewalking
* Paranova
* Fear Of A Unique Identity
* Here Come The Men
* Respite
* Uniformed & Black
* Monochrome
* Wide Awake
* The Parade
* A Place In The Sun

Back in August 2011, Moss stated about the upcoming ANTIMATTER effort, "My original plan was to release this album on my own label, Music In Stone, in November 2011, but upon hearing the promise of these completed demos this album has far surpassed my expectations. I have now decided that 'Wide Awake In The Concrete Asylum' needs the full attention of a seasoned record label, someone with the ability to work this album to its full potential, and I will be searching for that label over the coming months. Therefore the projected release date of November 2011 has now been wiped clean giving way to the more realistic aim of early-mid 2012."

Moss has also announced plans to release another ANTIMATTE R album in 2013, entitled "The Judas Table".

Great New Metal founder and publisher Brian Shields recently conducted an interview with guitarist Paul Waggoner of the North Carolina progressive rock band BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME. You can now watch the chat below.

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME's new album, "The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues", was released on April 12, 2011 via Metal Blade Records. The three-song, 30-minute tour de force was recorded at Canada's Metalworks Studios and Rattlebox Studios and helmed by the Grammy award–winning producer David Bottrill (TOOL, MUSE, KING CRIMSON, DREAM THEATER).

"The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues" represents BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME's musical and conceptual masterwork; the record showcases both the quintet's vivid execution and ambitious vision. The otherworldly conceptual thread linking each of the songs is mobilized around two human characters that live in different planes of existence and are separated by millions of light years, each confronted with similar personal issues. Subsequently, both characters make decisions that will change their lives, and perhaps the course of the universe, forever. Musically, the release presents aura-rich atmospheres rife with roaring volumes, corrugated rhythms and trance-inducing intricacies. Cerebral and visceral, soft and heavy, melodic and abrasive, tender and brutal, familiar and strange and taut yet sprawling and epic, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME has crafted a sound that is musically sophisticated yet primal and a disc where every new passage leads to the culmination of an epic adventure.

IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith and former SIKTH frontman Mikee Goodman have joined forces in a brand new studio project called PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION. The band's debut album will be released on February 27 via Spinefarm Records.

According to a press release, PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION's CD "fuses together two very different approaches to music — Mikee's unique vocal tones and dark-yet-colorful lyrics, and Adrian's instantly recognizable guitar melodies and song writing prowess. Adrian also plays bass throughout the album. All songs were co-written by Adrian and Mikee as individual pieces of work and recorded in creative windows of opportunity."

Comments Adrian: "It was interesting doing this album with Mikee, not least because we have quite different influences. I was really pleased with the way it turned out. It has a really fresh feel to it."

Adds Mikee: "This album takes you on a really deep and colourful journey, lyrically and musically. Adrian and I were both very open to experimenting with each others' musical styles and influences, which we feel created something new and exciting."

Session musicians who also contributed to PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION's debut album include Abi Fry of BAT FOR LASHES and original SIKTH member Dan "Lord" Foord on drums.

A PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION track called "I See Lights" can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION was originally scheduled to play a "one-off, under-the-radar" gig on January 15, 2011 at the Wycombe Bucks Student Union, but the gig ended up being canceled after it was inadvertently advertised via the Internet.

KSAZ-TV Fox 10 last week aired a three-minute report on GUNS N' ROSES' December 27, 2011 concert at Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. You can now watch it below.

GUNS N' ROSES kicked off its first U.S. tour since 2006 on October 28 in Orlando, Florida.

In addition to sole original member Axl Rose (vocals), the current lineup of GUNS N' ROSES includes guitarists Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Richard Fortus and DJ Ashba, bassist Tommy Stinson, keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman and drummer Frank Ferrer.

"Chinese Democracy", the 2008 album released by the current edition of GUNS N' ROSES after a 15-year wait, was officially certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 3, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of one million copies. The long-in-the-making, 14-song CD finally arrived 17 years after the last full-length collections of original GUNS material, "Use Your Illusion I" and "II", were released, and nine years after the non-album track "Oh My God" surfaced on the soundtrack of the movie "End Of Days".

"Chinese Democracy" was made available exclusively through Best Buy.

MAIDEN UNITED, the all-acoustic IRON MAIDEN tribute project featuring Damian Wilson (THRESHOLD, AYREON) and Ruud Jolie (WITHIN TEMPTATION), will embark on a short tour through Greece, Cyrpus and the Netherlands at the end of January.

The dates are as follows:

Jan. 20 - An Club - Athens, Greece
Jan. 21 - Eightball Club - Thessaloniki, Greece
Jan. 22 - Oneirou Odisseia - Serres, Greece
Jan. 23 - Kentriki Plateia - Trikala, Greece
Jan. 24 - Dewars Club - Agrinio, Greece
Jan. 25 - Barrel House - Larnaca, Cyprus

Two exclusive theatre shows where MAIDEN UNITED will perform songs from its debut album, "Mind The Acoustic Pieces", and, for the first time, tracks from the band's upcoming follow-up effort will be held at the end of January in Holland:

Jan. 27 - Theater De Lockhorst - Sliedrecht, Netherlands
Jan. 28 - Parkstad Theater - Heerlen, Netherlands

MAIDEN UNITED's sophomore CD will be recorded later this winter.

MAIDEN UNITED is an IRON MAIDEN tribute project which performs classic MAIDEN songs in new acoustic arrangements.

Released in December 2010, "Mind The Acoustic Pieces" was described sa "an acoustic reimagining of the entire classic IRON MAIDEN album 'Piece Of Mind' with new arrangements."

Contributing artists:

* Damian Wilson (THRESHOLD, AYREON): Vocals
* Ruud Jolie (WITHIN TEMPTATION): Guitar
* Joey Bruers (UP THE IRONS): Bass
* Marco Kuypers (SILKSTONE): Piano
* Mike Coolen (WITHIN TEMPTATION): Drums
* Anneke van Giersbergen (THE GATHERING, DEVIN TOWNSEND): Vocals

On September 19, MetalReview staff writer Rae Amitay conducted an interview with vocalist Jonas Renkse of Swedish dark rockers KATATONIA before the band's concert at The Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts. You can now watch the chat below.

KATATONIA played four shows in Scandinavia last month, hitting the capital cites of Copenhagen, Oslo, Helsinki and, of course, the band's hometown of Stockholm. The concerts, which were part of the 20th-anniversary "Last Fair Day Gone Night Tour 2011", saw the band perform two sets. The first set consisted of a performance of the entire "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" album front to back. The second set was a mixture of carefully picked songs from the band's extensive catalogue.

KATATONIA's May 6, 2011 concert at Koko in London, England was professionally filmed/recorded for a future DVD release.

KATATONIA released special editions of the critically acclaimed albums "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" and "Night Is The New Day" on April 25. The 10th-anniversary edition "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" was presented in deluxe mediabook packaging, as a two-disc edition containing tracks from the now hard-to-find singles "Teargas" and "Tonight's Music". The reissue of 2009's "Night Is The New Day" includes bonus tracks from the "The Longest Year" EP. Both titles were presented with newly updated cover artwork courtesy of original artist Travis Smith.

Legendary rocker Alice Cooper and his band performed on New Year's Eve at Mala Wailea, the famous oceanfront restaurant that is lobby level at Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, in Hawaii, on a bill that included "Weird Al" Yankovic, Pat Simmons and Michael McDonald of DOOBIE BROTHERS and Bob Rock. Comedian Tom Arnold will act as emcee at the event, which benefits the Maui Food Bank and the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

Joining Alice on stage for a performance of THE BEATLES classic "Come Together" was AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler. Tyler also sang AEROSMITH's "Sweet Emotion" and "Walk This Way".

Video footage of the "Walk This Way" performance, along with the previously released "Come Together" clip, can be seen below.

Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, SEPULTURA) will take part in a video chat on January 15.

For more information, send an email to mramireztribe@gmail.com and you'll be contacted one hour before the chat is scheduled to take place.

SOULFLY has set "Enslaved" as the title of its eighth album, due on March 13, 2012 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at Tallcat Studios in Phoenix, Arizona and was produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, the seasoned knob twiddler behind some of the most notable bands in metal today, such as SHADOWS FALL, HATEBREED, THE RED CHORD and more. SOULFLY vocalist/guitarist Max Cavalera also shared production duties.

SOULFLY's current lineup features Max and guitar dynamo Marc Rizzo, with STATIC-X's Tony Campos taking up the bass. The lineup is rounded out by drummer David Kinkade (BORKNAGAR, ARSIS, MALEVOLENT CREATION), a new-school, extreme skinsman whose brutality behind the kit brings a new flavor to the band.

While many groups barely make it to a third album, SOULFLY is still going strong two decades deep. 2012 also marks the band's 15th anniversary of making a tribally-influenced metallic racket and what better way to celebrate than with a new record? The album will be released via longtime label Roadrunner, which has been SOULFLY's home for the course of its career. The label has also been Cavalera's home for the duration of his career, which began in the '80s as a member of SEPULTURA, who essentially rewrote the rules of heavy music when they arrived on the scene; Max continues to do the same today.

As is customary with SOULFLY, the band will introduce some new and unexpected elements into the mix, including a guest violinist. SOULFLY also collaborates with two metal veterans: Dez Fafara of DEVILDRIVER and Travis Ryan of CATTLE DECAPITATION. With Dez and Max sharing a longtime connection through the Roadrunner family, it was only a matter of time before Fafara guested on a SOULFLY album.

Cavalera wrote a song, "Revengeance", about his slain stepson Dana Wells, whose death was the catalyst for the creation of SOULFLY. He partners with his sons Igor and Richie on vocals, while his other son Zyon plays drums. It is the first time Max has performed with three of his sons.

The band tracked 14 songs, 11 of which will be on the record, with the other three being made available for the special edition.

Track titles are as follows:

* Resistance
* World Scum
* Intervention
* Gladiator
* Legions
* American Steel
* Redemption Of Man By God
* Treachery
* Plata O Plomo
* Revengeance
* Chains
* Slave
* Bastards
* Soulfly VIII

Travis Ryan — who was a replacement for SOULFLY's original choice, OCEANO's Adam Warren — recorded his portion of the vocals at Frick'in Studios in San Marcos, California with engineer Dan Frick.

Commented Ryan: "It's an honor to receive a call from someone you had pictures of on your wall as a kid asking you to be on a new album of theirs. I literally had a picture of Max [Cavalera, SOULFLY mainman] and Gloria [Max's wife and manager] holding [Gloria's son] Richie in her arms that I ripped out of a copy of Metal Maniacs on my wall when I was 15 or 16. Now they're asking for my artistic hand in one of their creations; [it] just doesn't get much more surreal than that. Very honored and the song is very 'death metal-ish' and completely crushes. Happy to be a part of it!"

Zeuss stated about Travis' contribution, "The vocals fucking rule!!!! Fits the song perfect… Very refreshing for me to hear these days."

MACHINE HEAD guitarist Phil Demmel revealed via his Facebook page that he is engaged to BLEEDING THROUGH keyboardist Marta Peterson.

Demmel and Peterson started dating when their bands toured together in Australia and Japan in early 2010.

In an October 2011 interview with Hardrock Haven, Demmel stated about MACHINE HEAD's Australian tour with BLEEDING THROUGH, "I met the girl of my dreams in Australia the last time we were down there. One of the greatest things that has ever happened to me was on that run. I have very special memories of Australia and knowing that I was in love for the first time when I was in Brisbane."

Demmel began touring with MACHINE HEAD in 2002 but didn't officially join the band until 2004, shortly before the recording of the group's "Through The Ashes Of Empires" album.

Phil was a founding member of the late 1980s San Francisco Bay Area thrash band VIO-LENCE, which also included MACHINE HEAD guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn.

Peterson was twice named "Hottest Chick" in metal by Revolver magazine.

"Dreamdecipher", the new video from Sweden's MISERATION — the collaboration between SCAR SYMMETRY vocalist Christian Älvestam and Jani Stefanovic (ESSENCE OF SORROW, DIVINEFIRE) — can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Markus Rytilahti of Ekman & Winroth.

"Dreamdecipher" comes off MISERATION's sophomore album, "The Mirroring Shadow", which was released in November 2009 via Lifeforce Records. The follow-up to "Your Demons - Their Angels" was recorded at Panic Room studios with producer Tomas "Plec" Johansson.

MISERATION previously described "The Mirroring Shadow" as "a step up, intensity- and aggression-wise," and "more technical than its predecessor." The band added, "This progression both came and felt very natural to us, once the new material started to take shape. Sound-wise, producer Tomas 'Plec' Johansson has really outdone himself on this one, giving the music a productional enviroment to die for! Crushingly pounding, yet crystal clear!"

MISERATION's debut album, "Your Demons, Their Angels", was released in September 2008.

Italian hard rockers FUEL FROM HELL have inked a deal with Street Symphonies Records. The band's as-yet-untitled second album was produced by Riccardo Asquini and will be released in the spring.

FUEL FROM HELL is:

Phil Lasher - Lead Vocals
Dam Littmanen - Guitar, Vocals
Steve Eighteen - Guitar, Vocals
Max Velvet - Bass, Vocals
Alex Count - Drums

FUEL FROM HELL was formed in 1998 with the intention of playing "good, old loud-as-fuck rock 'n' roll." An EP, "The Superfaka", came out in 2001 and was followed by a full-length album, "Fill You Up With Five Star Gasoline", in 2007.

FUEL FROM HELL has supported L.A. GUNS in Italy and has played shows in Austria, Slovenia and Finland with bands like MELDRUM, FIREBIRD, VENDETTA, PARADOX, 1349 and MIND OF DOLL.

For more information, visit www.fuelfromhell.com.

Greek melodic metallers FIREWIND recently entered the studio in the band's hometown of Thessaloniki to begin recording their new album for a spring release via an as-yet-undetermined record label. Sitting behind the drum kit during the sessions is Johan Nunez of NIGHTRAGE, the former group of FIREWIND guitarist Gus G.

The second in a series of video updates featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the studio can be seen below.

FIREWIND is currently seeking a new label home following the expiration of the band's contract with Century Media Records.

In a recent interview with Oregon Music News, Gus, who is also a member of Ozzy Osbourne's band, stated about the relative lack of promotion for FIREWIND's latest studio album, "Days Of Defiance", "If were up to me, I would have released the album after I would be available to tour behind it. This was the label's idea who wanted to the album out. Our current label, Century Media, wanted it released. They said, 'We paid you to record the album and we want the masters.' I said, 'Okay, here you go.' I didn't feel good about it. This is the politics of the music business, I tried to make the label see that sure we'd get some press due to my involvement in Ozzy's band, but we would not be able to tour. Waiting 10 months to tour behind an album isn't a good business."

When asked if there were any plans for FIREWIND to re-release "Days Of Defiance" as an "expanded" edition to coincide with the band's recent North American headlining tour, Gus said, "We have thought about it but it goes back to the politics with our label. This was our last album for Century Media and unless you're signed for a long-term contract, they aren't going to do much for you. So for FIREWIND, this time around, there wasn't any creative marketing behind the album. It's sad, because I do feel that it's our best album to date and the fans absolutely love it. Unfortunately, there could have better promotion and Century Media should have waited a few months to release it, but that's record label politics for you."

"Days Of Defiance" landed at position No. 53 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200. The CD was released in North America on October 26, 2010 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media Records.

Russell "Evil G." Johnson of BareBonesMusic.com conducted an interview with vocalist Mike Hranica of the Dayton, Ohio Christian metalcore band THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA on the last date of the U.S. leg of the group's "Dead Throne" tour. You can now watch the chat below.

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA entered the mobile gaming world with the release of "Zombie Slay", a first-person, multi-level, action game specifically designed for mobile devices, that integrates all five songs from the band's critically-acclaimed 2010 release, "Zombie EP".

"Zombie Slay" challenges gamers to survive and save survivors in a post-apocalyptic world by killing as many zombies as possible. The game features randomly-generated gameplay at all levels that challenges both casual and hardcore gamers and promotes return-to-game play, an OpenFeint interface that enables players to compete against each other anywhere in the world, and social media integration. The "Zombie Slay" game is available immediately for $1.99 through iTunes for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, with Android capabilities expected in the near future. Fans can also receive updates on the game at ZombieSlay.com.

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA's latest full-length album, "Dead Throne", debuted at No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart.

RockNLive.org conducted an interview with bassist Paolo Gregoletto of Florida metallers TRIVIUM on November 28, 2011 at l'Olympia in Paris, France during the band's European tour with IN FLAMES, RISE TO REMAIN, GHOST and INSENSE. You can now watch the chat below.

TRIVIUM will join forces with Swedish metallers IN FLAMES for a co-headining North American tour in January/February. Support on the trek will come from VEIL OF MAYA and KYNG.

TRIVIUM's latest album, "In Waves", sold 22,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 13 on The Billboard 200 chart — the highest U.S. chart entry of the band's career. The group's previous CD, "Shogun", opened with just under 24,000 units back in October 2008 to debut at No. 23. The effort followed up "The Crusade", which registered a first-week tally of 31,000 copies in October 2006 to enter the chart at No. 25.

"In Waves" was recorded primarily at Paint It Black Studios in Orlando, Florida (with only the drums having been tracked at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida) with the production/mixing team of Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, SLIPKNOT, FEAR FACTORY) and Martin "Ginge" Ford, along with engineer Carl Bown.

German death metallers DAWN OF DISEASE have just entered Soundlodge Studio in Rhauderfehn, Germany with producer Jörg Uken (GOD DETHRONED, DEW-SCENTED, SINISTER) to begin recording their sophomore album, "Crypts Of The Unrotten", for an early summer release via NoiseArt Records.

"We really invested a lot of energy and have been collecting new ideas during the last months," the band said in a statement. "You better prepare for a huge portion of death metal! We are very much looking forward to the first recordings."

DAWN OF DISEASE's debut album, "Legends Of Brutality", came out last April via NoiseArt.

DAWN OF DISEASE is:

Tomasz Wisniewski - Vocals
Lukas Kerk - Guitar
Oliver Kirchner - Guitar
Michael Wächter - Bass
Mathias Blässe - Drums

Italian progressive metallers NEVERDREAM will release their fourth album, "The Circle", in the fall via Twilight Zone Records. According to a press release, the CD's lyrical themes will revolve "around a captivating flavor 'noir,' covering topics like the human psyche and the horrors of religious fanaticism."

NEVERDREAM's third CD, 2010's "Said", was produced by Achim Köhler (PRIMAL FEAR, EDGUY, MASTERPLAN) and was described in a press release as "a journey throughout the historical, social and cultural life of the cradle of human race."

NEVERDREAM is:

Voice: Giorgio Massimi
Guitar: Giuseppe Marinelli
Bass: Andrea Terzulli
Key: Mauro Neri
Keyboards, Sax, Programming: Fabrizio Dottori
Drums: Gabriele Palmieri

ALICE COOPER guitarist/collaborator Dick Wagner has released his new book, "Not Only Women Bleed: Vignettes From The Heart Of A Rock Musician", as a Kindle edition via Amazon. It features a foreword by Cooper.

"Not Only Women Bleed" stands tall amongst a proliferation of memoirs about sex, drugs and rock and roll. Supported by an edgy and ironic wit, Wagner creates rich visualizations that transport and envelop the reader in place and time. An agile and intuitive writer, Wagner's phrasing is both colorful and literate. He delivers tales of reckless behavior and intimate debauchery with an emotional reverberation that will resonate with a wide reading audience.

A man whose fans and friends refer to as "The Maestro of Rock," Wagner shares a lifetime of experience as a songwriter, lead guitarist and producer/arranger with top international performance and recording artists, including Alice Cooper, AEROSMITH, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, AIR SUPPLY, and dozens more.

Early encounters with such legends as Little Richard, Roy Orbison, BB King and Les Paul highlight moments of achievement in personal musical growth. Poignantly recounted stories of youthful days on the road and years of hit recordings, contrast with emotional tales of drug abuse and addiction that led to near fatal health issues. After physical adversity left him disabled and "drying up in the desert," Wagner finds enlightenment in the intensive care unit and takes the reader on a miraculous journey of courage and commitment. His return to live performance is an inspirational celebration of packed venues, overjoyed fans and critical media acclaim.

The hands-on, day to day collaboration with his editor, Susan Michelson, struck a rare balance, creating a great read that preserves all that is fresh and different about Wagner's book. No ghost writing here… no heavy-handed "fit-the-mold" editing and rewriting. The result is a hard-driving, heart-driven life scripture, vividly and joyfully conveyed. In the pages of this book you will find reflections of family and personal dynamics, uncovering pure and unexpected emotion. Wagner's collection of vignettes takes you on a literary journey that is an easy, compelling read.

RockNLive.org conducted an interview with vocalist Anders Fridén of Swedish metallers IN FLAMES on November 28, 2011 at l'Olympia in Paris, France during the band's European tour with TRIVIUM, RISE TO REMAIN, GHOST and INSENSE. You can now watch the chat below.

IN FLAMES' new digital single, "Where The Dead Ships Dwell", contains three completely different remixes for the title track. With versions by German rapper Casper, drum-and-bass act THE QEMISTS and Kristof Bathory, vocalist of the black metal band DAWN OF ASHES, there should be something everyone can enjoy.

IN FLAMES' tenth album, "Sounds Of A Playground Fading", sold around 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 27 on The Billboard 200 chart.

IN FLAMES' previous CD, "A Sense of Purpose" (Koch) opened with 20,000 units to land at No. 28. This was slightly less than the opening tally of "Come Clarity" (Ferret), which shifted just under 24,000 copies in February 2006 to enter the chart at position No. 58.

During last month's Dimebash event at the Key Club in Hollywood, California, Artisan News spoke to guitarist Phil Demmel of San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD about the status of the band's long-awaited DVD featuring footage from the mammoth tour in support of 2007's critically acclaimed album "The Blackening".

"We toured on 'The Blackening' for three years, [played] almost four hundred shows, [and] we have footage from everything," Demmel said. "So much happened on that tour — our drummer's mom died, my dad died… So much happened to us. We almost broke up, we went to therapy… All this different shit happened. So we're trying to put all of this together. It's just too much [to include in a single DVD package]. So we wanna whittle it down and create a cool story."

"The Blackening" — which garnered numerous awards and enjoyed praise from both critics and fans alike since its release — was re-released as a "special edition" in October 2008 via Roadrunner Records. It was also certified silver by the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) for U.K. sales in excess of 60,000 copies.

MACHINE HEAD's new album, "Unto The Locust", sold more than 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 22 on The Billboard 200 chart — putting MACHINE HEAD in the Top 25 for the first time in the band's 17-year history.

MACHINE HEAD has consistently averaged more than 100,000 copies sold in the U.S. for each of its seven albums and has shifted double that overseas (accruing several silver records in the U.K.), resulting in cumulative worldwide sales of more than 2.4 million.

"The Blackening" opened with just under 15,000 units back in April 2007 to debut at No. 54 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's 2004 effort, "Through The Ashes Of Empires", premiered with less than 12,000 copies to land at No. 88.

MACHINE HEAD will embark on a North American headlining tour in January/February with support from SUICIDE SILENCE, DARKEST HOUR and RISE TO REMAIN.

According to the Birmingham Mail, a Birmingham, England student has been honored with an award named after legendary BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne.

Helen Crothall was presented with the Ozzy Osbourne Development Award by Birmingham City University for passing her degree against all odds.

The 23-year-old BA Media and Communications student achieved a 2:1 in her BA Media and Communications (Music Industries) degree, despite losing her stepfather during her second year of her course.

Helen was also diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, a form of autism, while at university.

Ozzy, who went to school close to the university's Perry Barr campus, lent his name to the award last year in recognition of the student who makes the most progress during his or her course.

Read more from the Birmingham Mail.